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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Screenwriting Discussion    Screenwriting Class  ›  That Copyright Clause on the Title Page Moderators: George Willson
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  Author    That Copyright Clause on the Title Page  (currently 2404 views)
DanBall
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 2:55pm Report to Moderator
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I've seen a lot of people put this on their title pages, but the wording seems to vary from writer to writer. What are the important points to include when writing it and what kind of legal effect does it have?


"I remember a time of chaos. Ruined dreams. This wasted land. But most of all, I remember The Road Warrior. The man we called 'Max'."

THE PINBALL WARRIOR (scifi, WIP, ~30 pg.)
A STAND AGAINST EVIL (short, 9 pg.)
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bert
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 3:13pm Report to Moderator
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Opinions will differ.

My opinion is that it is unnecessary clutter.  Something is copywritten, technically, the moment you have written it.  

As for the copyright number, you have it or you don't.  No need to advertise.

Some go so far as to say it looks amateur to include it -- at best -- or paranoid at worst.

Or stupid if you paid to copyright a downright awful script haha.  And many have.

When somebody asks you for it, give it to them at that point.


Hey, it's my tiny, little IMDb!
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ghost and_ghostie gal
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 3:20pm Report to Moderator
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Personally, I never add that to any of my title pages, why? it's automatically protected by copyright from the moment you write it down.  But if you prefer... here's the most common way.

-- Begin your copyright notice with the letter "c" in lower case. Enclose the letter in parentheses as follows: (c). Alternately, you can spell out the world "Copyright" or write the letter "c" with a circle around it.

-- Put a blank space after the copyright symbol or word. Following the blank space, add the current year in numerals, such as "2013."

-- Add a space after the year and then type your legal name or the name of the entity claiming the copyright. Your final copyright notice should appear similar to the following: (c) 2013 Bobby Carter.

-- Add a co-author's name in your copyright notice, if you collaborated on the work with another person. Your co-author's name should follow your name.

-- Append the words "All Rights Reserved" to the copyright notice, if desired. Even this is no longer required, not to mention, it holds no legal weight, but it is still used.

EDIT: yeah, what Bert said.

Ghost


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DanBall
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 3:33pm Report to Moderator
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So it's okay just to leave the bottom of the title page blank?


"I remember a time of chaos. Ruined dreams. This wasted land. But most of all, I remember The Road Warrior. The man we called 'Max'."

THE PINBALL WARRIOR (scifi, WIP, ~30 pg.)
A STAND AGAINST EVIL (short, 9 pg.)
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wonkavite
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 3:38pm Report to Moderator
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Well, it's true that a script is automatically copywritten/protected - so I'll agree with both Bert and Ghost there.  And it's also true that putting "copyright" on the title page of a script can sometimes look amateurish... (At least, if you're sending it to the bigger studios.)

BUT - my view is that it's yet another level of psychological protection if/when you post a script on a site like Simplyscripts.  Because the type of person who would steal a script is ALSO the type of person who will argue "I thought they were free to take...there's no copyright on this!" (Which I've seen happen.)

You'll note - there's a blurb on the submission page for SS, stating that a copyright notice is strongly recommended.  I believe there's one on Stage 32 and Talentville, too....

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wonkavite  -  August 5th, 2013, 4:07pm
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Leegion
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 3:48pm Report to Moderator
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I usually just leave my email address at the bottom.  Lately thouigh, I've been adding that "This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written consent of the author" attachment.

Might just go back to "Copyright (C) 2013".

Most important thing to have on any script you put ONLINE is "Copyright (C)", otherwise, someone might take it and use it as their own thing.

When pitching a script/sending one to a studio, just remove the (C) and leave your email on it.  
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dogglebe
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 3:51pm Report to Moderator
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At a pitchfest I went to last spring, someone asked the discussion panel about that.  They essentially said that they don't care about copyright 2013 on the title page.

I don't this applies to my shit is copyrighted.  any use or duplication of it without my motherfuckin' permission will result in me opening a super-sized can of whoop-ass all over you, biyotch...

or whatever that line is prohibiting use without permission.


Phil
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wonkavite
Posted: August 5th, 2013, 4:05pm Report to Moderator
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Although, putting a date may be counterproductive, if the script's more than a year old (that would fairly, or unfairly, send a message that it's an old script that no-one wants....)
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ABennettWriter
Posted: August 6th, 2013, 1:14pm Report to Moderator
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wonkavite: That's my understanding too. Who wants to read a ten year old unproduced script? No one.
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dogglebe
Posted: August 6th, 2013, 2:52pm Report to Moderator
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if you originally copyrighted a script (via the LoC) in 2006, you can always update the copyright on your title page by saying copyright 2013.  The only time this becomes a problem is when you make major changes in your script.


Phil
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Don
Posted: August 6th, 2013, 5:27pm Report to Moderator
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So, what are you writing?

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Quoted from DanBall
I've seen a lot of people put this on their title pages, but the wording seems to vary from writer to writer. What are the important points to include when writing it and what kind of legal effect does it have?


Dan,

The rule of thumb when submitting scripts to producers and such is that you don't put copyright info on your script.

HOWEVER, if you submit a script to SimplyScripts to he hosted, I prefer that a full blown copyright statement be included because a number of works have been produced by students who mistakenly think the works on the site are in the public domain.

Don


Visit SimplyScripts.com for what is new on the site.

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You will miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
- Wayne Gretzky
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dogglebe
Posted: August 6th, 2013, 5:37pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Don
HOWEVER, if you submit a script to SimplyScripts to he hosted, I prefer that a full blown copyright statement be included because a number of works have been produced by students who mistakenly think the works on the site are in the public domain.


You'd think the instructors would bring up copyright infringement on the FIRST DAY of class.  But no....


Phil

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wonkavite  -  August 6th, 2013, 6:42pm
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Forgive
Posted: August 6th, 2013, 6:22pm Report to Moderator
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Quoted from Don
The rule of thumb when submitting scripts to producers and such is that you don't put copyright info on your script.


As stated, copyright is automatic. It's unusual to have a dispute re. copyright.

If there is a dispute, your only concern is establishing proof. There's methods of obtaining proof (script-vault etc.), which will give you the number that Bert is referring to. No need to include that on the script as the script does not dispute the copyright, only you or another party would do that.
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Ledbetter
Posted: August 6th, 2013, 7:57pm Report to Moderator
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I like to writer that included in his Copyright statement that no part of his work could be discussed in public without expressed written permission or face criminal charges.

You can bet that script sank to the bottom pretty quick...

Shawn.....><
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Pale Yellow
Posted: August 6th, 2013, 8:03pm Report to Moderator
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I only put Copyright stuff on scripts I have not registered. None of my features have it once registered. And I don't post most of my features anyway.

I always get a chuckle though when I open up a short and there is this paragraph about copyright etc. Makes me smile haha
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